Early Career
In 1986, Healey joined Abt Associates, based in Cambridge, MA, where she performed policy research for the U.S. Department of Justice related to child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, gang violence, victim and witness intimidation and the prosecution of drug crimes. Healey worked to support her husband’s education at Harvard Law School until 1987, and then remained a consultant at Abt Associates until 1997.
Following her time at Abt Associates, Healey served as an adjunct professor in criminal justice the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Her first foray into politics occurred in 1998, when she ran for state representative in the 6th Essex District – representing her hometown of Beverly, Massachusetts – challenging incumbent Democrat Michael P. Cahill. After losing the heavily democratic district in 1998, Healey challenged Cahill again in 2000, but was met with the same result. After Healey’s loss in 1998, she was elected to the Republican State Committee. Next, Healey taught social policy as an adjunct professor at Endicott College in 2001.
Despite losing her first two elections, Healey became popular among Republicans and was elected to the post of chairwoman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee in 2001; this made Healey only the second woman to head the Massachusetts GOP. Soon after beginning her term as Chairwoman, the Massachusetts GOP began courting Mitt Romney – then the President and CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympics – to take over acting-Governor Jane Swift’s position as the Republican candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Healey discreetly flew to Salt Lake to meet with Romney and, soon after the Olympics, Romney expressed his intention to challenge Swift in a Republican primary. After Swift exited the race, Romney endorsed Healey in her primary race for lieutenant governor against former U.S. Senate candidate and former party chairman James Rappaport, ultimately winning by a thirty point margin. The Romney-Healey team was ultimately successful, and Healey was elected lieutenant governor on November 5, 2002.
Read more about this topic: Kerry Healey
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